Research at the World Trade Institute

Discover a wide range of scholarly output by WTI research staff, including books, book chapters, working papers, and peer-reviewed journal articles.

A comprehensive resource for investment treaty research and analysis

The Electronic Database of Investment Treaties (EDIT) is a publicly accessible, full-text database of more than 3,850 international investment agreements (IIAs). The database facilitates advanced research, policy analysis, and public engagement by improving access to treaty texts that shape the global investment regime.

The TRADEM project investigates the complex interrelationship between preferential trade agreements (PTAs) and democratic governance. The central objective is to identify and define democracy-related content within trade, namely at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and PTAs, and thereafter discern the conditions under which international trade supports or constrains democratic institutions and processes.

This thesis gives a fresh perspective of how the circumvention practices could be effectively reduced upon implementation of the "pre-empteive anti-circumvention mechanism" at the stage of initial anti-dumping investigation.

By: Yuliia Kucheriava

Supervised by: Edwin Vermulst

This paper analyses current multilateral trade rules that interact with some aspects of fish trade. It aims to establish if the current mechanisms available at the WTO can regulate fisheries subsidies and market access for fish and fish products while simultaneously contributing to fish stocks conservation and IUU fishing reduction.

By: Marianna Henud Cresci

Supervised by: Christian Häberli 

The AfCFTA rules on ecommerce would, therefore, create a legal and institutional framework, that harmonises national and regional digital governance strategies and policies. Such a harmonised regulatory environment would ensure legal clarity for cross-border e-commerce. This paper proposes the criteria for setting the negotiation agenda for the AfCFTA rules on e-commerce, and it also makes a case for expediting the negotiations. Most importantly, the paper seeks to guide the negotiations towards developing a continent-wide digital governance landscape comprising elements of digital trade that cater to the development needs of African countries and ensure equal benefit by all Africans from the advancement of digital technologies in the African economies.

By: Stella Nalwoga

Supervised by: Prof. Dr. Mira Burri

The Multilateral Investment Court initiative emerged as a result of increased public criticism against investor-state dispute settlement. While such a court may provide a timely solution to the criticisms levelled against the dispute settlement system, its establishment would entail a complete overhaul of the system’s current regime. This thesis analyses the implications of establishing a Multilateral Investment Court for the settlement of investor-state disputes. 

By: Faith Abel Abraham

Supervised by: Dr. Rodrigo Polanco

Many countries use agricultural subsidies to support their farmers, with the aim of fostering the rural economy, supplementing farm income, increasing productivity, and many other aims. However, different types of subsidies have diverse effects, and certain types can have a detrimental impact on the economy, on international trade, as well as on the environment. Often, different types of minimally distorting “green box” subsidies are suggested as an alternative to highly distorting, environmentally adverse “amber box” subsidies. Using the power of Computable General Equilibrium (CGE), we construct a model of the economy of Ecuador, which we use to simulate the alternate application of two different types of subsidies. 

By: Gabriela GARCÍA MERCHÁN

Supervised by: Dr. Patrick Tomberger

This master thesis examined how the framework of international investment law allows both ‘resource-rich’ and ‘resource-poor’ countries to safeguard access to CRMs. While this dichotomy often leads to irreconcilable interests, throughout this thesis multiple avenues for balance were considered. Within International Investment Agreements (IIAs), countries can utilise investment screening, carve-outs and exception provisions. Outside IIAs, performance requirements, mining ownership rights, stabilisation clauses and due diligence requirements can act as reciprocal bridges between the two stakeholder groups. Nonetheless, these avenues are only capable of balancing out irreconcilable interests if used under the right terms and conditions.

By: Laura Verbeken

Supervised by: Dr. Rodrigo Polanco

World Trade Organization (WTO) members had initially aimed to restore the dispute settlement mechanism by the end of 2024. However, as of 2025, they have yet to reach a consensus on how the appellate mechanism should function. To resolve the Appellate Body (AB) crisis, it is crucial to address the key criticisms raised against the AB. Among these, a primary concern for the U.S. is the AB’s failure to adhere to the 90-day deadline for issuing reports. This article aimed to examine the importance of prompt dispute resolution to the U.S. and to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the reasons behind the AB’s repeated failure to meet the 90-day review deadline, considering perspectives from both the U.S. and the AB. We further examined the reasons behind the U.S.'s actions, speculating that it attributed the delays to the AB's misconduct because it perceived the AB's rulings over the past decade as unfavorable to its interests. If the true reason for the blockade lies in its dissatisfaction with AB rulings, establishing an appellate mechanism during Trump's presidency is likely to be even more challenging. Reviving the WTO DSS may ultimately rely on the wisdom of WTO members.

By: Chieh Ling Liao
Supervised by: Prof. Manfred Elsig

The thrust of the paper is to examine the extent to which the SPS Committee contributes to dispute resolution under the WTO framework by drawing inferences from numerous SPS notifications, SPS Committee meeting minutes, Secretariat notifications, Panel and AB reports, and existing literature on the topic to establish a link between the role of the SPS Committee and dispute resolution. In particular, the paper examines a specific mechanism – the Specific Trade Concerns (STC) mechanism and its role in facilitating conflict resolution.

By: Triplicane Damodaran Satish
Supervised by: Prof. Dr. Michael Hahn